O.  E.  S.  LlBlFJARY.  Ge*.  % 


THE 


ConnecllcutAsriculluralExperiineiilStalM 

I^EW   HAVElSr,    GO^:^. 


C-cMt 

s 

43 


BULLETIN    N^o.   115. 

MARCH,    1893. 


Peach      .     .     .     . 
Plum  and  Cherry 


CONTENTS. 

Common  Fungous  Diseases  and  their  Treatment, 
Apple Scab, 

Pear j  Leaf-blight, 

'  Scab, 

^  .  i  Leaf -blight, 

Qmnce -  '^     ' 

(  Black-rot, 

Yellows,    . 

(  Black-knot, 

(  Brown-rot, 

/  Black-rot, 

Grape -|  Downy  mildew, 

(  Anthracnose, 

Easpbeny  and  Blackberry,    Anthracnose, 

Strawberry       ....         Leaf-blight, 

Onion Smut, 

Potato Rot,  . 

Tomato \  Leaf-blight, 

(  Rot,   . 

Celery Leaf-blight, 

t  Bordeaux  mixture, 
Preparation  of  fungicides  <  Ammoniacal  carbonate 

(  Modified  Eau  Celeste, 
Cost  of  materials,      ...... 

Spraying  apparatus,  ..... 

A  provisional  spraying  calendar. 


of  Copper, 


PAGE 

3 
3 
4 
5 


9 
10 
11 
12 
12 
13 
14 
14 
15 
16 
17 
17 
17 
18 
19 
19 
19 
22 


2  CONNECTICUT   EXPERIMENT   STATION,    BULL.    il5. 

Notice  as  to  Bulletins. 

The  Bulletins  of  this  Station,  issued  quarterly  or  oftener,  are 
mailed  free  to  citizens  of  Connecticut  who  apply  for  them,  and  to 
others,  as  far  as  the  limited  editions  permit. 

Applications  should  be  renewed  annually  before  January  1st. 

Citizens  of  other  States  desiring  to  secure  the  Bulletins  regu- 
larly are  referred  to  the  notice  below.  * 

The  matter  of  all  the  Bulletins  of  this  Station  in  so  far  as  it  is 
new  and  of  permanent  value  is  made  part  of  the  Annual  Report 
of  the  Director. 

Bulletins  earlier  than  No.  71  and  Nos.  83,  93,  100,  101  and  102 
are  exhausted  and  cannot  be  supplied. 

*^ 
Notice  as  to  Station  Reports. 

The  Station  has  no  supply  of  its  Annual  Reports  for  the  years 
1877,  1878,  1879,  1880,  1881,  1883,  1887  and  1891  and  will  pay  a 
liberal  price  for  a  number  of  clean  copies  of  Reports  for  any  of 
these  years. 

The  Annual  Report  of  this  Station,  printed  at  State  expense,  is 
at  present  limited  to  an  edition  of  7,000  copies,  of  which  5,000 
copies  are  bound  and  distributed  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Board 
of  Agriculture,  T.  S.  Gold,  West  Cornwall,  Conn. 

After  exchanging  with  other  Experiment  Stations  and  Agri- 
cultural Journals,  the  remaining  Reports  will  be  sent  first  to 
Citizens  of  Connecticut  who  shall  apply  for  them.  These  copies 
will  be  supplied  in  the  order  in  which  the  applications  are  re- 
ceived until  the  edition  is  exhausted,  and  if  the  demand  in  the 
State  continues  as  hei'etofore,  few  or  none  will  remain  for  distri- 
bution outside  of  Connecticut. 

Extra  copies  can,  however,  be  secured  if  called  for  before  the 
printing-forms  are  broken  up.  Such  copies  will  be  struck  off 
and  supplied  to  Citizens  of  other  States  who  apply  to  this  Station 
annually  before  February  1st,  and  who  remit  25  cents  per  copy  to 
defray  costs.  This  remittance  will  also  secure  to  the  sender  a  copy 
of  each  Bulletin  issued  by  this  Station  during  the  following  year. 

Coin  may  be  forwarded  by  Post  at  sender's  risk  with  very 
small  chance  of  loss,  if  properly  mailed,  as  follows  :  Cut  an  inch 
hole  in  a  card  or  scrap  of  thin  paper-box  that  will  just  fit  inside 
an  envelope,  fasten  a  twenty-five  cent  piece  in  the  cavity  by  pasting 
paper  over  it  on  both  sides  of  the  card,  write  thereon  name  and 
Post  office  address,  inclose  within  an  envelope,  and  send  as  a 
letter  prepaid  in  full.     P.  O.  stamps  cannot  be  accepted. 


DISEASES   OF    THE   APPLE, 


COMMON    FUNGOUS    DISEASES    AND    THEIR 
TREATMENT. 

By  William  C.  Sturgis,  Ph.D.,  Mycologist. 

A  yeai"  ago  the  demand  on  the  part  of  the  farmers  and  fruit- 
growers of  the  State,  for  a  concise  and  untechnical  statement  con- 
cerning the  more  common  fungous  diseases,  the  means  of  recog- 
nizing them,  and  the  methods  of  treatment,  was  answered  by 
Bulletin  111.  The  science  of  economic  mycology  makes  rapid 
progress,  fungous  diseases  hitherto  unknown  in  a  certain  locality 
become  prevalent,  and  the  experiments  of  a  year  may  so  far  in- 
crease our  knowledge,  that  in  order  to  secure  the  best  results  from 
the  use  of  fungicides,  we  must  be  prepared  to  keep  abreast  of  the 
latest  investigations,  and  modify  our  methods  accordingly.  It 
has  therefore  been  decided  to  publish  this  revised  edition  of 
Bulletin  111,  only  such  changes  from  the  latter  publication  being 
made,  as  the  experience  of  the  past  year  has  proved  advisable. 

DISEASES   OF   THE   APPLE. 

"Scab."     [^Fusidadium  cleiidriticum,  (Wallr.)  Fckl.] 

This  disease  attacks  the  leaves  and  fruit  of  the  apple,  produc- 
ing roundish  or  irregular  blotches  on  the  upper  surface  of  the 
leaves,  and  on  the  fruit.  These  blotches  are  of  a  dark  greenish- 
brown  color,  and  of  a  more  or  less  velvety  texture.  The  growth 
of  the  fungus  causing  these  blotches  does  not  tend  to  produce 
any  rapid  or  widespread  decay  in  the  fruit,  but  it  does  stunt  and 
distort  the  fruit,  rendering  it  to  a  greater  or  less  degree  un- 
sightly and  unmarketable.  The  "  scab "  should  not  be  con- 
founded with  the  diseases  known  as  "  bitter-rot "  and  "  black- 
rot,"  both  of  which  tend  to  produce  rotten  areas  in  the  fruit. 

Treatment. 

Inasmuch  as  the  "  spores  "  or  fruit  of  the  "  scab  "  fungus  pass  the 
winter  in  the  fallen  leaves  beneath  the  trees  or  in  the  cracks  and 
crevices  of  the  bark,  collecting  and  burning  the  leaves  in  winter 
is  of  great  assistance  in  controlling  the  disease,  and  a  winter 
treatment  in  the  form  of  a  strong  wash  or  spray  applied  to  the 
trees  is  most  desirable.  The  material  used  is  a  strong  solution 
of  either  sulphate  of  copper,  1  lb.  to  25  galls,  of  water,  or  sul- 
phate of  iron,  1  lb.  to  5  galls,  of  water.     This  application  is  best 


4  CONNECTICUT    EXPERIMENT   STATION,    BULL.  115. 

made  by  means  of  some  form  of  spraying  apparatus,  and  should 
be  used  in  early  spring  before  the  buds  have  begun  to  swell. 

This  should  be  followed  up  by  a  summer  treatment,  consisting 
in  the  application  of  either  the  Bordeaux  mixture  or  modified  Eau 
c61este.  Formulas  and  directions  for  the  preparation  of  these  and 
other  fungicides  are  given  on  pp.  11  to  19.  The  Bordeaux  mix- 
ture presents  one  very  decided  advantage  over  the  modified  Eau 
celeste,  in  that  it  contains  no  ammonia,  hence  does  not  dissolve 
the  arsenic  compounds,  and  can  therefore  be  iised  in  conjunction 
with  Paris  green  or  London  purple  to  prevent  the  attacks  of  the 
codling  moth  as  well  as  of  the  ''scab"  fungus.  The  mixture 
should  be  made  in  the  proportion  of  one  pound  of  the  arsenic 
compound  (Paris  green  or  London  purple)  to  100  gallons  of  th,e 
fungicide,  the  former  being  stirred  to  a  smooth  paste  with  a  little 
water  and  added  to  the  latter. 

Time  of  application. 

In  applying  fungicides  for  apple  "scab,"  it  should  be  remem- 
bered that  early  treatment  is  extremely  important.  The  winter 
treatment  with  sulphate  of  copper  or  iron  should  take  place  late 
in  March  or  very  early  in  April,  before  the  buds  begin  to  swell. 
The  first  application  in  the  summer  treatment  should  be  made  just 
before  the  flowers  open,  a  second  as  soon  as  the  fruit  is  set  (for 
this  application  and  the  following,  Paris  green  may  be  mixed 
with  the  fungicide  to  destroy  the  eggs  of  the  codling  moth),  and 
a  third  when  the  fruit  is  half  grown.  The  winter  treatment,  fol- 
lowed by  these  early  summer  applications,  if  cai*efully  and  thor- 
oughly made,  will  be  found  as  efiicient  as  a  number  of  applica- 
tions later  in  the  season.  Prevention  is  always  better  than  an  at- 
tempted cure. 

DISEASES   OF   THE   PEAR. 

"  Leaf-blight  "  or  "  Leaf-spot."     [Entomosp)oriiim    macida- 

tum,  Lev.) 

This  disease  attacks  the  leaves  and  fruit  of  both  the  pear  and 
the  quince,  producing  on  the  leaf  yellowish  or  reddish  spots 
marked  in  the  center  by  minute  black  pimples.  The  aff'ected 
leaves  fall  prematurely,  generally  by  the  first  part  of  July,  the 
tree  suffers  in  consequence,  and  may  eventually  die  from  the 
effects  of  repeated  premature    defoliation.     Upon   the  fruit  the 


DISEASES   OF   THE   PEAR.  5 

spots  produced  by  the  fungus  ai'e  not  usually  as  prominent  as 
upon  the  leaf,  but  the  early  falling  of  the  leaves,  and  the  presence 
of  the  fungus  upon  the  fruit,  causes  the  latter  to  become  stunted, 
often  badly  cracked,  and  quite  unfit  for  the  market.  In  this 
State  more  damage  is  done  to  pears  by  the  pear  "  scab,"  while 
quinces  suffer  more  seriously  from  this  "  leaf -spot." 

Treatmeiit. 

Collecting  and  burning  the  fallen  leaves  and  fruit  after  harvest, 
and  a  treatment  of  the  trees  early  in  April  with  a  strong  solu- 
tion of  sulphate  of  copper  as  recommended  for  apple  "scab," 
tends  largely  to  check  the  spread  of  the  disease.  For  the  sum- 
mer treatment  either  the  Bordeaux  mixture  or  the  modified  Eau 
celeste  will  be  found  effective.  The  superiority  of  the  latter  con- 
sists in  its  greater  cheapness  and  ease  of  application,  but  as  stated 
above  it  cannot  be  used  in  connection  with  the  arsenical  insecti- 
cides, without  seriously  endangering  the  foliage. 

Time  of  application. 

The  winter  treatment  should  be  made  early  in  April ;  the  first 
spraying  with  the  Bordeaux  mixture  or  the  modified  Eau  celeste 
should  be  made  just  before  the  blossoms  open;  a  second,  as  soon 
as  the  blossoms  have  fallen  ;  and  either  two  or  three  more  at  in- 
tervals of  ten  days  to  three  weeks  according  to  the  rainfall. 

"  Scab."     \Fu8icladium  pyrinwn,  (Lib.)  Fckl.] 

The  fungus  causing  this  disease  is  very  closely  related  to  that 
causing  the  apple  "  scab,"  and  the  effects  of  the  two  are  very 
gsimilar.  Upon  the  pear,  as  upon  the  apple,  the  fungus  produces 
dark  brownish  patches  of  a  velvety  texture  on  the  leaves  and 
fruit.  Cool,  damp  weather  is  in  both  cases  favorable  to  the 
spread  of  the  disease. 

Treatment. 

A  spray  of  sulphide  of  potassium,  used  in  the  proportion  of  one 
ounce  to  two  gallons  of  water,  has  been  recommended,  but  is  prob- 
ably not  as  effective  as  the  Bordeaux  mixture  or  the  modified  Eau 
celeste.  The  first  application  should  be  made  when  the  flowers 
are  beginning  to  open,  a  second  when  the  fruit  is  about  the  size 
of  peas,  and  additional  applications  every  two  weeks  until  five  or 
six  in  all  have  been  made. 


6  CONNECTICUT   EXPERIMENT   STATION,   BULL.  115. 

DISEASES   OF   THE    QUINCE. 

"  Leaf-blight  "  or  "  Leaf-spot."     {Entomosporium  macula- . 

turn.  Lev.) 

This  is  the  same  fungus  which  causes  the  "  blight "  or  "  spot "  of 
the  leaves  of  the  pear,  and  the  cracking  of  the  fruit.  In  the  case  of 
the  quince  the  most  marked  effect  of  the  fungus  is  upon  the  leaves, 
which  blight  and  fall  prematurely,  hence  the  first  effect  of  reme- 
dial measures  is  seen  in  a  vigorous,  healthy  leafage,  and  in  severe 
cases  a  good  set  of  fruit  is  only  secured  after  spraying  for  two 
seasons. 

Treatment.  "- 

In  treating  the  disease  as  it  occurs  on  quince  trees,  experience 
seems  to  show  that  in  the  end,  and  taking  into  consideration  the 
much  greater  success  attending  its  use,  the  Bordeaux  mixture  is 
preferable  to  any  other  fungicide.  The  use  of  the  Bordeaux  mix- 
ture is  also  to  be  recommended  because  it  permits  of  admixture 
with  Paris  green  as  a  remedy  against  the  quince  "  maggot,"  The 
Paris  green  should  be  mixed  to  a  smooth  paste  with  a  little 
water,  and  then  stirred  into  the  Bordeaux  mixture  in  the  propor- 
tion of  one  pound  of  Paris  green  to  100  gallons  of  the  mixture. 

This  treatment  should  be  supplemented  by  the  gathering  and 
burning  of  the  fallen  leaves,  and  by  the  winter  treatment  with 
sulphate  of  copper  or  sulphate  of  iron  as  recommended  in  other 
cases,  p.  3. 

The  proper  times  for  making  the  applications  are  the  same  as  in 
the  case  of  the  "  leaf-spot "  of  the  pear,  p.  5. 

» 
"  Black-rot."     {Sphoiropsis  Malorum^  Peck.)* 

This  disease,  which  also  attacks  apples  and  pears,  has  only  re- 
cently made  its  appearance  on  quinces  in  this  State,  but  it  bids 
fair  to  become  a  serious  trouble  to  quince  growers  unless  speedily 
checked.  It  makes  its  appearance  in  August,  as  a  discolored 
spot,  usually  on  the  exposed  side  of  the  fruit.  The  spot  spreads 
rapidly,  both  superficially  and  in  the  interior  of  the  fruit,  until 
the  whole  fruit  becomes  brown,  decayed,  and  shrunken,  and  often 
badly  cracked.     The  disease  once  seen,  is  unmistakable. 

*See  Bull.  91,  N.  J.  Agr.  Exp.  Sta.,  p.  8. 


DISEASES   OF   THE    PEACH. 


Treatment. 


The  fungus  producing  the  disease  in  question  is  nearly  related 
to  others  which  have  been  carefully  investigated,  so  that  it  is  fair 
to  presume,  although  the  presumption  rests  upon  no  definite  ex- 
periments as  yet,  that  a  continuation  through  August  of  the  ap- 
plication of  Bordeaux  mixture  will  eflfectually  prevent  the  disease. 
If  it  is  found  that  this  mixture  is  liable  to  remain  upon  the  fruit 
at  the  time  of  harvest,  the  modified  Eau  celeste  or  the  ammoniacal 
solution  of  copper  carbonate  may  be  substituted  for  the  Bordeaux 
mixture  with  probably  quite  as  good  results. 

All  diseased  fruit  should  be  gathered  and  burned  at  and  after 
the  time  of  harvest,  and  if  apjjles  or  pears  are  grown  in  the 
neighboi'hood  the  disease  should  be  carefully  looked  for  upon 
them  and  no  diseased  fruit  should  be  allowed  to  lie  on  the  ground 
or  remain  upon  the  trees. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  PEACH. 

Practically  the  only  disease  of  peach  trees  which  at  present 
seriously  threatens  the  fruit  interests  of  Connecticut  is  that  known 
as  "yellows."  It  is  impossible  to  give  within  the  limits  of  the 
present  Bulletin  even  a  brief  outline  of  the  investigations  which 
have  been  made  on  the  cause  or  causes  of  this  malady.  It  is  suf- 
ficient to  say  that  as  yet  no  definite  cause  has  been  ascertained 
with  any  certainty,  and  no  means  have  proved  effective  in  check- 
ing the  spread  of  the  disease  except  rooting  out  and  destroying 
by  fire  every  tree  which  shows  the  first  symptoms  of  the  disease. 
Constant  study  has  however,  given  us  certain  general  facts  rela- 
tive to  the  disease. 

(1)*  The  first  manifestation  of  "yellows"  is  the  premature 
ripening  of  the  fruit.  The  moment  this  symptom  is  seen,  though 
the  tree  is  to  all  appearance  sound  and  healthy  otherwise,  it  must 
go,  if  the  spread  of  the  disease  is  to  be  checked.  There  are  no 
authentic  instances  of  trees  recovering  after  the  appearance  of 
this  symptom. 

(2)  The  second  evidence  of  a  diseased  condition  is  the  prema- 
ture development  of  winter  buds,  producing  spindly  growths  and 

*  These  conclusions  are  based  upon  the  publications  of  Prof.  E.  F.  Smith,  re- 
ferred to  later,  p.  8. 


8  CONNECTICUT   EXPERIMENT   STATION,   BULL.  116. 

sickly  green  leaves.     All  the  other  symptoms  of  "  yellows  "  are 
due  primarily  to  these  two. 

(3)  The  period  of  incubation,  i.  e.  the  time  elapsing  between 
artificial  inoculation  and  evident  symptoms  of  disease,  is  consid- 
erable; after  the  appearance  of  symptoms  the  tree  may  live  from 
one  to  five  years,  and  even  produce  fruit  during  the  early  stages 
of  the  disease. 

(4)  The  whole  tree  is  affected  when  symptoms  appear  in  any 
part  of  it,  hence 

(5)  Pruning  has  little  or  no  effect  on  the  spread  of  the  disease. 
If  a  single  diseased  tree  is  allowed  to  remain  in  the  hope  that  it 
will  bear  fruit  for  at  least  one  more  year,  not  only  are  the  adjoin- 
ing trees  endangered  but  the  whole  orchard  and  even  adjoining 
orchards  may  become  infected. 

(6)  There  is  no  question  that  the  disease  can  be  communicated 
from  one  tree  to  another,  though  how  it  is  communicated,  that  is, 
the  nature  of  the  contagion,  is  as  yet  unknown.  It  may  be  com- 
municated even  by  apparently  healthy  buds  when  these  are  taken 
from  diseased  trees,  but  it  is  also  conveyed  in  some  other  way 
than  by  bud  inoculation,  certainly  in  the  case  of  old  trees.  Finally 
the  trees  are  not  infected  through  the  blossoms. 

(Y)  The  use  of  special  fertilizers  has  never  cured  a  tree,  though 
heavy  fertilizing  may,  by  increasing  the  vigor  of  the  tree,  enable 
it  to  withstand  longer  the  effects  of  the  disease. 

(8)  It  is  possible  to  grow  healthy  trees  in  the  identical  spot 
from  which  a  diseased  tree  has  been  taken.  This  has  been  the 
practice  of  growers  in  Michigan  and  the  disease  has  been  almost 
completely  eradicated.  In  other  States  however,  notably  in  Del- 
aware, the  practice  has  not  proved  so  advisable,  and  on  the  whole 
it  seems  to  be  at  least  unsafe  to  set  out  a  new  tree  on  the  spot 
where  a  diseased  tree  has  recently  been  rooted  out. 

For  further  details  on  this  subject  the  reader  is  referred  to  Dr. 
Erwin  F.  Smith's  exhaustive  treatises.  Bulletin  No.  1,  U.  S.  Dep't 
of  Agric,  Division  of  Veg.  Path.,  and  Bulletin  No.  9,  XJ.  S.  Dep't 
of  Agric,  Div.  of  Bot.,  to  which  publications  we  owe  most  of  our 
knowledge  concerning  peach  "yellows." 


DISEASES    OF   THE    PLUM    AND    CHERRY. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  PLUM  AND  CHERRY. 

"Black  Knot."     \Plowrightia  morhosa,  (Schw.)  Sacc.]. 

This  disease  attacks  the  smaller  limbs  and  twigs  of  wild  cher- 
ries and  plums  as  well  as  of  the  cultivated  varieties,  producing  on 
them  jet-black,  wart-like  growths.  At  first  these  growths  are 
small  and  do  but  little  damage,  but  they  increase  rapidly  in  size ; 
by  inducing  a  morbidly  active  growth  of  the  tissue  of  the  branch 
on  the  side  upon  which  they  are  growing,  they  produce  a  distor- 
tion of  the  branch ;  and  finally,  surrounding  the  branch  com- 
pletely, they  produce  death.  It  is  not  rare  for  a  whole  tree  to  be 
killed  by  this  disease  in  the  course  of  two  seasons.  The  black 
"  knots  "  are  largely  composed  of  the  fruiting  part  of  a  fungus,  the 
vegetative  part  of  which  is  buried  in  the  tissues  of  the  branch, 
and  occupies  a  distance  of  three  to  five  inches  above  and  below 
tlie  "knot"  itself. 

Treatment. 

After  the  disease  has  once  obtained  a  good  hold  upon  the  larger 
branches  of  a  tree  it  is  well  nigh  impossible  to  eradicate  it.  Its 
spread  can  be  stopped  however,  if  it  is  taken  in  hand  early,  or 
when  the  "  knots  "  are  still  small  and  few  in  number. 

With  a  sharp  knife  the  knots  should  be  cut  out,  the  portion  re- 
moved extending  three  or  four  inches  above  and  below  the  "  knot " 
itself.  The  wound  should  then  be  washed,  or  the  whole  tree 
sprayed,  with  a  strong  solution  of  sulphate  of  copper,  and  then 
painted  over  with  some  oil  paint. 

In  place  of  the  oil  paint,  a  paste  made  of  kerosene  and  some 
colored  pigment,  or  of  turpentine  and  lime,  has  been  used  fre- 
quently with  marked  success  even  when  applied  directly  upon  the 
"  knots  "  without  cutting  them  out.  It  is  always  surer  and  safer 
however,  first  to  cut  the  "knots"  out  and  then  to  apply  the  paint 
or  paste  to  the  cut  surfaces. 

The  spores  of  this  fungus  mature  and  are  distributed  from  the 
latter  part  of  December  to  February ;  the  best  season  therefore 
for  cutting  out  the  "knots  "  is  November  or  early  in  December. 
The  young  "  knots  "  appearing  in  the  spring,  bursting  through 
the  bark  in  greenish  swellings,  may  be  cut  out  at  that  season.  If 
the  whole  tree  is  badly  diseased  it  should  be  cut  down  at  once 
and  burned  ;  and  the  same  applies  to  the  individual  "  knots."     If 


10  CONNECTICUT   EXPERIMENT   STATION,    BULL.  115. 

allowed  to  remain  on  the  ground  they  will  infect  healthy  trees  as 
readily  as  though  they  were  still  on  a  living  tree.  Wild  cherries 
which  are  diseased  should  be  subjected  to  the  same  treatment,  or 
destroyed  altogether. 

"  Bkown-kot."     {Monilia  fructigena,  Pers.) 

This  disease  attacks  the  stt)ne-fruits,  such  as  the  peach,  plum, 
and  cherry,  and  sometimes  the  apple  and  pear.  Its  first  effect  is 
to  induce  a  brown  discoloration  of  the  fruit  accompanied  by  a 
copious  production  of  ash-colored  dusty  tufts  on  the  surface  of 
the  fruit;  these  tufts  are  the  fruiting  threads  of  the  fungus. 
Later  the  fruit  becomes  shrunken  and  dry,  and  in  this  ''mum- 
mified "  condition  may  remain  for  a  long  time  without  decay. 
Not  infrequently  the  whole  fruit  becomes  encased  in  a  layer  of 
brownish  dust  consisting  almost  entirely  of  the  spores  of  the 
fungus. 

Treatment. 

The  most  practical  method  of  checking  the  spread  of  the  dis- 
ease is  by  burning  all  diseased  or  "mummified"  fruit.  It  is  in 
this  dried  fruit  that  the  fungus  threads  pass  the  winter.  With 
the  advent  of  warm  weather  the  threads  produce  spores  in  im- 
mense quantities  upon  the  remains  of  the  fruit,  and  the  fresh  crop 
of  fruit  becomes  readily  infected.  Hand-picking  and  burning  all 
diseased  fruit,  both  on  the  tree  and  on  the  ground,  is  therefore 
the  surest  method  of  combating  the  disease.  It  occasionally  at- 
tacks both  the  leaves  and  twigs  as  well  as  the  fruit,  and  in  such 
a  case  again  the  best  remedy  is  picking  and  burning  the  diseased 
parts. 

Merely  as  an  adjunct  to  this  method  of  dealing  with  "  brown- 
rot,"  treatment  of  the  trees  and  subjacent  ground  with  the  simple 
solution  of  copper  sulphate  as  recommended  for  apple  "  scab," 
etc.,  would  undoubtedly  be  of  benefit.  This  treatment  should  be 
given  during  the  last  of  March  or  the  first  part  of  April. 

Note. 

If  Paris  green  in  water  is  used  upon  plum-trees  to  prevent  the 
destructive  attacks  of  the  curculio,  the  danger  of  burning  the  foli- 
age can  be  avoided  by  adding  lime  to  the  insecticide,  in  the  pro- 
portion of  1  lb.  to  50  galls. 


DISEASES   OF   THE   GRAPE.  11 


DISEASES  OF  THE  GRAPE. 

r  Phyllosticta  Lahruscce,  ThGra. 
"  Black-rot.''  }  Phoma  icvicola,  B.  &  C. 

(  Lcestadia  Bidioellii,  (Ell.)  Viala  &  Ravaz. 

This  well  known  disease  usually  appears  first  upon  the  leaves 
and  young  shoots,  producing  reddish-brown  or  blackish  spots. 
About  two  weeks  later  the  berries  are  attacked,  the  first  evidence 
of  this  being  a  black  or  brownish  spot  at  one  or  more  points  on 
the  surface.  Soon  the  whole  berry  turns  brown,  then  black,  and 
finally  becomes  hard  and  leathery,  while  still  remaining  on  the 
stalk.  A  magnifying  glass  reveals  on  the  surface  of  the  diseased 
berries  minute  black  pimples,  within  Avhich  the  several  forms  of 
spores  produced  by  the  fungus  are  born. 

Treatment. 

Warm,  damp  weather  is  especially  conducive  to  the  spread  of 
the  disease,  so  that  during  such  weather  the  vines  will  require 
constant  care.  The  first  precaution  to  be  taken  in  the  spring 
consists  in  ploughing  or  cultivating  between  the  rows  so  as  to 
turn  under  or  cover  any  diseased  grapes  which  may  have  fallen 
the  previous  year. 

Treatment  of  the  vines  immediately  after  pruning,  with  the 
strong  solution  of  sulphate  of  copper  is  advisable  (p.  3) ;  but  more 
important  is  the  summer  spraying  with  the  Bordeaux  mixture. 

Experiments  conducted  in  1891  by  the  U.  S.  Dep't  of  Agric. 
indicate  that  the  Bordeaux  mixture  i-educed  to  even  one-sixth  the 
usual  strength,  (see  Formula  2,  p.  17,  of  this  Bulletin)  is  thor- 
oughly effective  against  "  black-rot,"  and  of  course  the  expense  is 
much  less. 

If  the  Bordeaux  mixture  is  used  throughout  the  season  there  is 
danger  of  some  of  the  dried  copper  compound  remaining  on  the 
berries  when  harvested,  and  this  damages  the  aj^pearance  of  the 
fruit,  though  the  quantity  of  copper  is  too  small  to  produce  any 
injurious  efl:ects  from  eating  the  grapes.  This  staining  of  the 
fruit  may  be  remedied  by  using  the  ammoniacal  carbonate  of 
copper  for  the  last  two  sprayings  instead  of  the  Bordeaux  mix- 
ture. 


12  CONNECTICUT   EXPERIMENT   STATION,    BULL.  115. 

Time  of  application. 

Early  treatment  is  indispensable  to  success.  The  appearance 
of  the  first  leaves  should  be  the  signal  to  begin  spraying.  Make 
the  first  application  then,  repeat  it  just  before  the  vines  begin  to 
bloom,  follovir  it  up  with  a  third  as  soon  as  the  vines  have  finished 
blooming,  and  repeat  at  intervals  of  twelve  or  fifteen  days  accord- 
ing to  the  weather,  until  the  berries  are  half  grown.  The  most 
critical  period  in  this  climate  is  about  the  last  of  June ;  the  spray- 
ing at  this  time  should  therefore  be  especially  thorough  and  care- 
ful. According  to  the  experience  of  the  Department  of  Agric, 
"  six  treatments,  the  last  two  after  the  grapes  were  practically 
grown,  gave  little  better  results  than  four,  the  last  being  made 
when  the  berries  were  the  size  of  bird-shot.""  Of  course  the  fre- 
quency of  the  applications  must  depend  largely  on  the  weather. 

"Beown-eot"    or   "Downy  Mildew."     \^Plasmo20C(,ra  viticola, 
(B.  and  C.)  Berl.  and  De  Ton.] 

The  fungus  producing  this  disease  is  more  disastrous  to  the 
vines  themselves  than  the  fungus  of  "  black-rot,"  inasmuch  as  it 
attacks  the  leaves,  causing  them  to  turn  brown  and  fall  prema- 
turely. Later  it  may  attack  the  berries.  The  latter  do  not  dry 
and  shrivel  as  in  the  case  of  "black-rot,"  but  they  assume  a  grayish 
tint,  the  surface  becomes  discolored  in  places  especially  near  the 
stem  end,  and  finally,  decay  accompanied  by  a  uniform  brown 
color  destroys  the  fruit.  On  the  leaves  the  disease  is  readily 
recognized  by  the  grayish,  downy,  or  furred  appearance  produced 
on  the  under  surface  of  the  leaves  by  the  fruiting  threads  of  the 
fungus.  This  downy  form  of  the  disease  may  also  attack  the  ber- 
ries, and  under  such  circumstances  is  unmistakable. 

Treatment. 

The  same  treatment  is  to  be  recommended  for  the  "  downy  mil- 
dew "  as  for  "  black-rot."  If  the  vines  are  treated  for  the  latter 
the  same  treatment  will  suffice  for  both  diseases. 

"Anthracnose  "  {Sphaceloma  ainpelinmn,  DeBary. 

This  disease  attacks  the  canes,  leaves,  and  berries.  On  the 
leaves  it  pi'oduces  small  brownish  spots  with  a  slightly  raised 
border.     Later  these  spots  become  gray  in  the  center  and  often 


DISEASES   OF   THE    RASPBERRY   AND    BLACKBERRY.  13 

separate  from  the  surrounding  healthy  portions  of  the  leaf,  leav- 
ing the  latter  full  of  round  or  i-agged  holes.  On  the  canes  the 
effect  is  similar  except  that  the  spots  often  become  confluent,  pro- 
ducing large  elongated  diseased  areas  of  a  grayish  color  and 
slightly  flattened  or  depressed.  On  the  berries  the  spots  are  more 
nearly  circular,  and  their  appearance,  gray  in  the  center  with  a 
reddish  surrounding  circle  and  a  dark  border,  gives  to  the  disease 
the  common  name  of  "  bird's-eye  rot." 

T)-eatment. 

The  best  remedy  for  "  anthracnose"  is  to  wash  or  spray  the 
vines  after  pruning,  and  before  the  buds  begin  to  swell  in  the 
spring,  with  a  strong  solution  of  sulphate  of  copper,  using  one 
pound  to  ten  gallons  of  water.  "Anthracnose  "  is  not  liable  to 
do  much  damage  in  vineyards  that  are  well  treated  for  "  mildew  " 
or  "black  rot,"  especially  if  the  vines  are  severely  trimmed. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  RASPBERRY   AND  BLACKBERRY. 

"Anthracxose."     {Glceosporium  necator,  E.  and  E.) 

This  "anthracnose"  produces  on  the  canes,  small  round  or 
elongated  whitisi]  patches,  slightly  flattened  and  bordered  with 
a  ring  of  dark  purple.  These  patches  gradually  increase  in  size 
and  number,  and  finally  destroy  the  new  growth  or  stunt  it  badly. 
Upon  the  leaves  it  is  often  visible  as  very  small  yellowish  spots 
surrounded  by  a  dark  border,  resembling  those  on  the  canes  but 
much  smaller.  The  fungus  producing  the  disease  passes  the  win- 
ter in  the  diseased  canes  and  leaves,  a  fresh  crop  of  spores  is  pro- 
duced from  the  old  spots  in  the  spring,  and  the  new  canes  and 
foliage  are  readily  infected. 

Treatment. 

As  in  the  case  of  the  grape  "  anthracnose,"  cutting  out  all 
diseased  wood  and  burning  it  will  gradually  eradicate  the  disease. 
It  should  be  cut  out  in  winter  or  very  early  spring,  below  the 
lowest  diseased  spot.  If  the  canes  are  then  sprayed  with  a  solu- 
tion of  sulphate  of  copper,  using  one  pound  to  twenty-five  gal- 
lons of  water,  and  if  necessary  sprayed  two  or  three  times  during 
the  summer  with  Bordeaux  mixture,  very  little  damage  is  to  be 
feared  from  the  "  anthracnose." 


14  CONNECTICUT   EXPERIMENT   STATION,   BULL.  115. 

DISEASES  OF  THE   STRAWBERRY. 

"  Leaf-blight."     i^S'phoirdla  Fragarim^  Sacc.) 

This  disease  is  characterized  by  tlie  appearance  of  reddish 
areas  on  the  upper  surface  of  tlie  leaves.  Later  there  appear  in 
the  center  of  these  discolored  areas  gray  or  whitish  spots,  upon 
which  in  autumn  and  winter  are  developed  several  forms  of  the 
reproductive  bodies  or  spores  of  the  fungus  which  causes  the  dis- 
coloration of  the  leaf. 

Treat7ne7it. 

By  annually  renewing  the  settings,  and  planting  only  in  deep 
and  thoroughly  drained  soil,  the  loss  from  blight  will  be  very 
largely  diminished.  Removing  and  destroying  all  the  old  leaves 
after  harvesting,  followed  by  cultivation,  and  the  application  of 
a  quick  fertilizer,  is  a  process  which  has  produced  good  results. 

A  more  simple  method  which  has  been  adopted  with  complete 
success  by  certain  growers  in  this  State,  is  as  follows  : — As  soon 
as  the  berries  are  picked,  run  a  mowing-machine  over  the  bed, 
cutting  all  the  leaves  close  above  the  ground.  As  soon  as  the 
leaves  and  old  mulch  are  dry  enough,  set  fire  to  them  and  burn 
the  bed  over.  If  necessary,  loosen  up  the  old  mulch  a  little  with 
a  fork  before  burning  and  put  on  more  where  it  is  scanty,  in 
order  to  secure  as  even  a  burn  as  possible.  Unless  a  severe 
drought  follows,  the  plants  soon  put  up  a  new,  vigorous,  and 
healthy  growth ;  mulch  as  usual  in  the  autumn.  In  a  dry  season 
this  method  must  be  used  with  caution,  but  if  the  burning  is  fol- 
lowed by  rain,  the  pi'ocess  has  in  all  cases  proved  a  complete  cure 
for  the  "leaf-blight." 


DISEASES   OF   THE   ONION. 

"  Smut."     ( Urocystis  CepulcB,  Frost.) 

This  disease  attacks  the  onion  seedling,  appearing  as  dark  spots 
or  lines  in  the  leaves.  Later,  and  as  other  leaves  develop  and 
become  attacked,  those  spots  begin  to  crack  open  longitudinally, 
exposing  the  fungus  with  its  spores  as  a  black,  powdery  mass. 
If  the  disease  is  not  checked  by  the  natural  withering  of  the  leaf 
first  attacked,  it  spreads  throughout  the  plant,  affecting  even  the 


DISEASES   OF   THE   POTATO.  15 

bulb,  on  which  it  produces  black,  linear  elevations,  running  down 
to  the  base  of  the  bulb  and  extending  up  into  the  leaves. 

Treatment. 

The  only  treatment,  except  rotation  and  transplanting,  which 
has  ever  been  recommended  for  onion  "smut,"  is  that  suggested 
in  the  Reports  of  this  Station  for  1889  and  1890.  It  consists,  in 
sowing  in  the  drill,  with  the  seed,  either  a  mixture  of  equal  parts 
of  sulphur  and  lime,  or  of  sulphide  of  potassium  and  lime.  The 
experiments  which  led  to  this  suggestion  were  made  on  very- 
smutty  land,  and  increased  the  yield  in  a  ratio  of  about  5  to  1. 
They  were  merely  preliminary  and  therefore  not  decisive,  but  the 
result  certainly  seems  to  warrant  a  repetition  of  the  experiment. 
The  details  will  be  found  in  the  Reports  referred  to.  It  seems 
probable  now  that  the  measure  of  success  attending  this  treatment 
will  hardly  warrant  its  very  extended  adoption,  and  that  onion 
growers  in  this  State,  as  elsewhere,  will  have  to  adopt  the  method 
of  starting  the  plants  from  seed  in  cold  frames,  and  transplanting 
to  the  field.  This  method  is  laborious,  but  the  additional  labor 
is  compensated  for  by  an  earlier  harvest,  and  very  superior  bulbs. 

To  lessen  the  danger  of  spreading  the  disease  it  should  be 
noted  that  all  implements  used  in  smutty  ground  should  be 
thoroughly  washed  before  being  used  in  clean  ground  ;  that  all 
refuse  left  on  the  field  from  a  crop  infected  with  "  smut,"  should  be 
collected  and  burned ;  that  when  it  is  possible,  onion  land  should 
be  burned  over  in  the  fall ;  and  that  at  the  second  and  subsequent 
hand-weedings,  all  onions  which  show  the  "smut"  should  be  pulled 
and  burned  at  once. 


DISEASES   OF   THE   POTATO. 

"  Blight  "  or  "  Rot."  YPhytophtliora  infestans,  (Mont.)  DeBary.] 

This  disease  first  appears  as  a  premature  wilting  of  the  tops  of 
the  vines.  The  color  rapidly  changes  to  yellow  and  then  to  a 
dirty  brown.  On  the  under  side  of  the  leaf  in  these  diseased  por- 
tions, is  seen  a  delicate  whitish  mould,  the  fruiting  threads  of  the 
fungns.  The  disease  spreads  quickly,  inducing  a  very  rapid  and 
characteristic  decay  in  the  plants,  and  if  not  checked,  the  fungus 
causing  the  decay  makes  its  way  to  the  tubers  and  affects  them, 
producing  the  well-known  "  rot." 


16  CONNECTICUT   EXPERIMENT   STATION,    BULL.  115. 

Treatment. 

If  applied  in  time,  the  Bordeaux  mixture  is  an  effective  pi'even- 
tive  of  potato  "  rot."  It  should  be  applied  whether  the  disease 
appears  or  not,  since  it  is  a  preventive  rather  than  a  cure. 

Tivne  of  application. 

The  first  application  should  be  made  when  the  plants  are  about 
half  grown,  and  it  should  be  repeated  every  ten  or  twelve  days 
until  the  tops  begin  to  wither.  If  it  is  desired  at  the  same  time 
to  treat  the  vines  for  the  "  potato  bug,"  Paris  green  may  be  used 
with  the  Bordeaux  mixture  by  stirring  the  former  to  a  smooth 
paste  in  water  and  adding  it  to  the  latter  in  the  pi'oportion  of  one 
pound  of  Paris  green  to  100  gallons  of  the  mixture.  As  a  rule 
treatment  for  the  "  potato  bug "  will  have  to  be  begun  much 
earlier  than  for  the  "  rot."  It  may  be  more  convenient  however, 
and  it  can  do  no  harm,  to  begin  treatment  with  the  combined 
fungicide  and  insecticide  at  the  earlier  date  when  the  "  potato 
bug"  first  appears.  There  is  no  doubt  that  potato  vines  derive 
from  the  treatment  with  Bordeaux  mixture,  an  increase  of  vitality 
beyond  that  due  to  the  prevention  of  the  "  rot  "  alone,  although 
it  is  not  yet  fully  known  to  what  the  Bordeaux  mixture  owes  this 
fertilizing  quality. 


DISEASES   OF   THE  TOMATO. 

"  Leaf-blight."     ( Gladosporiiim  fulmim^  Cke.) 

This  fungus  forms  rusty-brown  patches  on  the  under  side  of 
the  leaves,  inducing  a  yellowing  and  wilting,  usually  followed  by 
the  death  of  the  leaf  attacked. 

Treatment. 

Inasmuch  as  warmth,  moisture,  and  insufiicient  circulation  of 
air  are  all  factors  in  the  spread  of  this  disease,  training  the  plants 
on  sticks  or  trellises  to  keep  them  off  the  ground,  and  pruning 
away  all  the  lower  branches  and  leaves  so  as  to  allow  of  the  free 
access  of  sun  and  air,  Avill  to  a  great  degree  prevent  the  disease. 
Should  it  still  prove  harmful  however,  either  the  Bordeaux  mix- 
ture or  the  aramoniacal  carbonate  of  copper  will  be  found  effective. 


PEEPARATION    OF   FUNGICIDES.  17 

"Potato-rot."     {Phytophthora  mfestcms,  De  Bary.) 

This  fungus  which  does  so  much  damage  to  potatoes,  fre- 
quently attacks  tomatoes  also.  Its  general  effect  is  the  same  in 
both  cases,  and  it  may  be  controlled  by  the  same  means. 


DISEASES   OF   CELERY. 

"  Leaf-blight."     ( Cercospora  A^ni,  Fres.) 

This  disease  attacks  the  leaves  of  celery,  forming  upon  them 
discolored  spots  and  blotches.  Sometimes  almost  the  whole  leaf 
becomes  involved,  the  blotches  presenting  a  more  or  less  pale  and 
watery  appearance. 

J^eatmeJit. 

The  ammoniacal  solution  of  coj^per  carbonate  has  been  used 
with  some  success  against  this  disease,  but  from  our  own  experience 
we  would  recommend  the  use  of  sulphur.  A  warm,  sunny  day 
should  be  chosen,  and  the  sulphur  dusted  upon  the  plants,  at  the 
rate  of  about  2  lbs.  to  1200  plants  for  each  application.  The 
applications  should  be  made  four  times,  at  intervals  of  ten  days  or 
two  weeks. 

Note. — The  treatment  should  be  begun  as  soon  as  the  disease 
makes  its  appearance.  Great  care  should  be  exercised  in  selecting 
seedlings.  Seedlings  already  affected  with  the  disease  are  fre- 
quently offered  for  sale  by  retail  dealers.  Buy  only  from  reliable, 
iirst-class  seedsmen. 


THE   PREPARATION   OF   FUNGICIDES. 
Bordeaux  Mixture. 

Formula    1. 

Sulphate  of  copper  (•'  blue  vitriol,"  "  blue-stone  ") 2^  lbs.  or  6  lbs. 

Quick  lime 2  lbs.  or  4  lbs. 

Water 22  gals,  or  45  galls. 

Formula    2. 

Sulphate  of  copper .- 1  lb. 

Quick  lime - 1  lb. 

Water --. 22  galls. 


18  CONNECTICUT    EXPERIMENT   STATION,    BULL.  115. 

Pulverize  the  sulphate  of  copper  and  dissolve  in  2  galls,  of 
water  heated  to  hasten  the  solution.*  Dilute  this  solution  with 
14  galls,  of  water.  Slake  the  lime  (which  should  be  fresh,  i.  e. 
not  partly  air  slaked)  with  6  galls,  of  water,  adding  the  latter 
slowly  and  stirring  to  a  smooth  paste.  Allow  this  mixture  to 
stand  a  short  time,  then  stir  it  and  pour  it  slowly  into  the  copper 
sulphate  solution,  stirring  rapidly  during  the  operation.  Never 
pour  in  any  of  the  coarser  sediment  which  settles  readily  to  the 
bottom. 

This  mixture  should  be  made  fresh  for  each  application  in  order 
to  secure  the  best  results. 

Formula  2  is,  of  course,  cheaper  than  Formula  1,  and  is  quite 
as  effective  against  "  black-rot,"  and  "  mildew  "of  the  grape,  "  leaf-" 
blight "  of  the  tomato,  and  probably  against  "  potato-rot "  as  well. 

Ammoniacal  Carbonate  of  COppee. 

Carbonate  of  copper 5  oz. 

Aaua  ammonia  (strong) 3  pts. 

Water 45  gjalls. 

Mix  the  carbonate  of  copper  to  a  thick  paste  with  water.  Dis- 
solve this  2Daste  with  3  pts.  of  ammonia,  or  if  that  is  insufficient 
to  dissolve  all  the  carbonate,  add  a  little  more.  Dilute  with 
water  to  45  galls. 

The  strong,  undiluted  solution  may  be  made  and  kept  in  stock, 
to  be  diluted  and  used  as  needed. 

The  carbonate  of  copper  can  be  made  more  cheaply  than  it  can 
be  bought  by  dissolving  in  one  barrel  3^  lbs.  of  carbonate  of  soda 
(sal  soda)  in  one  gallon  of  hot  water,  and  in  another  barrel  3  lbs. 
of  sulphate  of  copper  in  two  gallons  of  hot  water.  When  the 
solutions  are  complete,  and  cool^  pour  the  sal  soda  solution 
slowly  into  the  copper  solution,  stirring  continuously.  A  heavy 
green  precipitate  will  result,  consisting  of  cai'bonate  of  copper. 
Now  fill  the  barrel  up  with  water,  let  the  carbonate  settle  at  the 
bottom,  and  then  siphon  off  the  clear  water.  Repeat  the  opera- 
tion once.  Finally,  strain  out  and  dry  the  carbonate  of  copper, 
of  which  there  will  be  found  to  be  \\  lbs. 

Prepared  in  this  way  the  copper  carbonate  will  cost  about  18 
cents  per  pound. 

*  In  case  the  larger  proportions  in  formula  1,  are  used,  double  the  amount  of 
water  must  be  used  in  each  step  of  the  preparation. 


SPEAYING   APPARATUS.  19 

jModified  Eau  Celeste. 

Sulphate  of  copper  ("  blue-stone  ") lib. 

Carbonate  of  soda. l|-  lbs. 

Aqua  ammonia  (strong) Ipt. 

Water - 25  galls. 

Dissolve  the  sulphate  of  copper  and  the  carbonate  of  soda  in 
warm  water  in  separate  vessels.  When  completely  dissolved  and 
cool,  mix  the  two,  stirring  continuously.  Add  the  ammonia  until 
a  clear  solution  is  obtained,  and  dilute  with  water  to  25  o-alls. 


COST  OF  MATERIALS. 

The  following  are  the  approximate   wholesale  prices   of  the 
chemicals  most  commonly  used  as  fungicides. 

Lime  _ per  bbl.  (300  lbs.)..$  1.65 

Sulphate  of  copper  (granulated)* "       (450  lbs.)..   18.00 

Sulphate  of  iron per  lb. 01 

Carbonate  of  copper "      42 

Carbonate  of  soda "       .02 

Sulphur  (flowers  of  sulphur) "       02 

Sulphide  of  potassium  (liver  of  sulphur) "       about       .12 

Aqua  ammonia  (26°) "       08 


SPRAYING  APPARATUS. 

Pumps. 

For  spraying  on  a  large  scale  where  a  large  portable  receptacle 
is  needed,  a  strong  force-pump  which  can  be  mounted  on  a  barrel 
and  drawn  from  place  to  place,  is  a  great  saving  of  time  and 
labor.  A  pump  well  adapted  to  this  purpose  is  "Gould's  doable- 
acting  spraying  pump  "  fitted  with  couplings  on  both  sides  which 
allows  of  the  simultaneous  use  of  two  sets  of  hose,  and  the  spray- 
ing of  two  orchard  rows  at  the  same  time.  This  pump,  which  is 
powerful,  simple,  and  compact,  is  made  by  the  Goulds  M'f'g.  Co., 
of  Seneca  Falls,  N.  Y.  An  equally  good  pump  for  use  under  the 
same  conditions  is  manufactured  by  W.  &  B.  Douglas,  of  Middle- 
town,  Conn,  The  mixture  may  be  kept  stirred  by  means  of  a 
disk  of  wood  screwed  to  the  end  of  a  broom-handle  and  inserted 
through  a  hole  in  the  top  of  the  barrel. 

*  The  Nichols  Chemical  company,  45-49  Cedar  St.,  New  York  City. 


20  CONNECTICUT    EXPERIMENT   STATION,    BULL.  115. 

For  spraying  on  a  smaller  scale,  or  where  a  mounted  barrel 
cannot  be  driven,  some  form  of  "  knapsack  "  sprayer  is  conven- 
ient if  not  essential.  Many  forms  are  advertised,  all  made  on  the 
principle  of  combining  with  a  small  force-pump,  a  tank  or  recep- 
tacle to  be  carried  on  the  back.  A  very  perfect  machine  of  the 
kind  is  known  as  the  "Galloway  Knapsack  Sprayer."  The 
Messrs.  Douglas,  of  Middletown,  are  prepared  to  furnish  this 
sprayer,  or  one  very  similar  to  it. 

If  the  area  to  be  sprayed  requires  but  six  or  eight  gallons  of 
the  liquid,  as  e.  g.  in  greenhouse  work,  or  when  only  a  few  plants 
or  vines  are  to  be  treated,  a  most  serviceable  pump  for  attaching 
to  a  pail  is  the  Johnson  pump,  sold  for  |4.50  by  Cordley  & 
Hayes,  llS-llB  Duane  St.,  New  York  City.  If  the  nozzle  sent 
with  this  pump  is  removed  and  replaced  by  a  piece  of  |^-in.  hose, 
6  or  8  ft.  long,  provided  with  a  Vermorel  nozzle,  a  most  effective 
and  convenient  means  of  spraying  on  a  small  scale  is  procured. 

Nozzles. 

It  is  hardly  necessary  to  say,  after  so  much  has  been  written 
and  said  on  the  subject,  that  for  the  proper  application  of  fungi- 
cides a  rose  nozzle  or  an  ordinary  sprinkler  is  not  sufficient.  Sev- 
eral spraying  nozzles  have  been  devised  of  which  only  two  need 
be  mentioned  here,  the  Nixon  and  the  Vermorel. 

In  the  Nixon  nozzle  the  liquid  is  driven  through  a  fine  gauze 
cap  and  issues  in  a  copious,  smoky  spray.  For  use  with  clear 
liquids  it  is  unsurpassed.  With  mixtures  however,  like  the  Bor- 
deaux mixture  which  contains  lime  in  suspension,  this  nozzle  is 
liable  to  clog  and  is  not  readily  cleaned.* 

The  Vermorel  nozzle  works  equally  well  with  clear  solutions 
and  with  liquids  having  substances  in  suspension,  it  delivers  a  fine 
and  abundant  spray,  and  is  on  the  whole  the  most  serviceable 
nozzle  for  general  work  with  which  we  are  acquainted. 

A  very  useful  adaptation  of  the  Vermorel  nozzle,  called  an 
"  Undersprayer,"  is  manufactured  and  sold  by  Messrs.  Wm. 
Boekel  &  Co.,  518  Vine  St.,  Philadelphia,  Pa.  The  nozzle  is  at- 
tached to  a  brass  pipe,  3  ft.  long,  by  a  union-joint,  which  allows 
of  its  being  tiirned  and  the  spray  applied  directly  upwards  or  in 
any  required  direction.  It  is  of  special  use  in  spraying  grape- 
vines for  "  mildew."  The  advertised  price  of  the  "  Undersprayer  " 
is  $1.75. 

*  This  nozzle  may  be  procured  of  the  Nixon  Nozzle  and  Machine  Co.  of  Day- 
ton, Ohio,  at  $  LOO  each. 


SPRAYING   APPARATUS.  21 


Hose. 


It  is  often  necessary  in  directing  a  spray  at  some  distance  from 
the  ground,  to  use  a  greater  length  of  hose  than  would  ordinarily 
suffice.  The  best  kind  for  the  purpose,  as  for  any  light  discharge 
pipe,  is  what  is  known  as  ^-'m.  "  linen  insertion  tubing."  The  hose 
should  be  attached  to  a  light  pole  of  sufficient  length  to  reach 
above  the  foliage  to  be  sprayed,  so  that  the  spray  may  be  directed 
downwards  upon  it. 

The  following  quotations  for  spraying  pumps  and  accessories 
are  furnished  by  Messrs.  W.  &  B.  Douglas  of  Middletown,  Conn. 
The  quotations  are  on  goods  ordered  directly  from  their  factories 
at  Middletown,  and  the  prices  are  net: 

Double-acting  Spraying  Pump  (similar  to  Gould's)  with  all  brass  piston 

and  brass  outer  cylinder* $9.50 

Double-acting  Spraying  pump  (similar  to  Gould's)  with  all  brass 

piston  and  iron  outer  cylinder,  fitted  with  leather  valves 5.00 

The  same,  fitted  with  metallic  valves 6.50 

Three  feet  suction  hose  for  same  with  couplings  and  brass  strainer  2.25 

Single  couplings  for  J-inch  hose 25 

T-coupling                "              "      - 1.00 

Vermorel   Nozzle   (2  caps  with  coupling  for  ^-inch  hose  or  with  large 

standard  coupling  as  desired) 1.25 

The  Messrs.  Douglas  will  also  be  prepared  to  furnish  Prof.  Galloway's 
Knapsack  Spraying  Pump  with  planished  copper  tank   and  copper 

cover,  for  about 11.00 

Quotations  for  tubing  given  by  the  Goodyear  Rubber  Store, 
F.  C.  Tuttle,  prop.,  866  Chapel  St.,  New  Haven. 

i-inch  hnen  insertion  tubing  (lots  of  100  feet  or  more)  per  foot 08 

"         "  "  "       (lots  of  50  feet  or  more)  per  foot 10 

"         "  "  "      (lots  of  less  than  50  feet)  per  foot 12 

■f-inch  heavy  rubber  tubing,  per  foot. .18 

*  For  use  with  the  copper  compounds  it  is  advisable  to  have  all  the  parts  of  the 
pump,  including  the  outer  cylinder,  made  of  brass,  as  these  compounds  corrode 
iron. 


22  CONNECTICUT   EXPERIMENT   STATION,    BULL.  115. 


A  PROVISIONAL  SPRAYING  CALENDAR. 

The  following  provisional  calendar  is  given  here  at  the  request 
of  several  fruit-growers.  It  is  manifestly  impossible  to  give  with 
any  degree  of  accuracy  the  exact  dates  upon  which  fungicides 
should  be  applied.  The  fact  that  we  sprayed  last  year  on  certain 
dates,  by  no  means  presupposes  that  those  dates  will  be  suitable 
the  coming  season. 

Seasonal  variations  between  two  successive  years,  and  the 
varying  conditions  of  rain -fall  from  one  season  to  another,  are 
often  so  great  that  the  exact  date  of  any  farm  operation  cannot 
be  known  beforehand.  The  following  table  is  therefore  merely 
approximate,  to  be  modified  by  the  exercise  of  common-sense. 

January  and  February. 

But  little  can  be  done  during  these  mid-winter  months  in  the 
way  of  spraying,  though  a  great  deal  by  way  of  preparation.  If 
it  has  not  been  already  done  at  the  proper  time,  cut  out  and  burn 
the  "black  knot"  of  plum  and  cherry  now,  and  destroy  all  neigh- 
boring wild  cherries  which  are  knotty. 

In  the  latter  part  of  February  do  all  necessary  trimming  of 
vines  and  fruit  trees,  unless  this  has  been  done  in  the  autumn,  as 
is  often  the  case.  Where  "  anthracnose  "  has  previously  attacked 
grape-vines,  raspberries  or  blackberries,  prune  severely,  cut  out 
every  trace  of  diseased  w^ood  or  cane  and  burn  it.  The  increased 
vigor  obtained  by  the  free  access  of  light,  air,  and  ventilation  will 
compensate  for  the  severe  pruning. 

In  open  winters,  February  is  none  too  early  to  go  over  the 
orchard  carefully  and  collect  and  burn  all  leaves  and  fruit  from 
diseased  trees,  such  as  mummified  cherries,  plums  and  peaches, 
scabby  or  rotted  pears  and  quinces,  and  all  blighted  leaves.  Re- 
member that  on  the  first  warm  day  the  air  will  be  full  of  the 
germs  of  plaut  disease  from  these  fruits  and  leaves,  if  they  are 
not  destroyed.  Do  not  use  them  for  bedding  or  mulch,  and  do 
not  throw  tbem  into  the  pig-pen, 

March. 

The  middle  or  end  of  this  month  will  see  everything  ready  for 
winter  treatment  (copper  sulphate,  1  lb.  to  25  galls,  of  watei'). 
Select  a  warm  day,  or  if  possible,  several  days  of  warm,  melting 
weather.     In  some  seasons  winter  treatment  can  hardly  be  made 


SPEAYING    CALENDAE.  23 

before  April.  This  treatment  is  especially  good  for  diseases  of 
apple,  pear  and  quince,  for  "  anthracnose,"  and  for  the  "  black- 
rot  "  of  grapes.  Where  the  latter  has  occurred  the  previous  year, 
ploughing  between  the  rows  in  order  to  cover  up  diseased  berries 
will  be  found  of  great  advantage.  If  plums  and  cherries  sufier 
in  summer  from  lice,  spray  the  trees  now  with  kerosene  emulsion 
to  destroy  the  eggs. 

Apeil. 

Put  all  spraying  apparatus  in  thorough  order.  Clean  and 
rinse  pumps,  oil  all  bearings,  see  that  the  valves  work  well,  and 
test  the  tubing  for  leaks. 

If  the  winter  treatment  has  been  deferred  until  this  month,  see 
that  it  is  finished  before  the  middle  of  the  month. 

Mat. 

This  is  usually  the  flowering  month  for  vines  and  fruit  trees, 
and  the  first  application  of  Bordeaux  mixture  or  other  fungicide 
should  immediately  precede  the  opening  of  the  flowers.  Use 
your  own  judgment.  Apples  are  generally  in  bloom  by  the 
second  week  in  May  ;  quinces,  pears  and  grapes  usually  not  until 
somewhat  later.  The  importance  of  these  early  treatments  can 
hardly  be  overestimated.  Watch  to  see  when  the  petals  begin 
to  fall,  and  make  a  second  application  within  a  few  days  of  that 
date. 

During  the  last  part  of  May  examine  carefully  the  plum  and 
and  cherry  trees.  The  young  "black-knots,"  now  of  a  greenish 
color,  will  be  found  bursting  through  the  bark.  Cut  them  out 
and  burn  them,  and  paint  the  wound  over  at  once.  A  day  spent 
on  the  "  black-knot "  in  May  and  June  is  worth  ten  days'  work 
later. 

June. 

The  first  part  of  June  usually  marks  the  fall  of  the  flowers  of 
most  fruit  trees.  Never  spray  while  trees  and  vines  are  in  full 
bloom.  Make  the  second  application  as  soon  as  the  petals  have 
fallen.  This  will  be  late  in  May  or  early  in  June  for  apples,  a 
week  or  ten  days  later  for  other  fruit-trees  and  grapes.  Make  the 
June  treatment  thorough.  In  spraying  for  apple-scab,  add  Paris 
green  to  the  fungicide  for  this  second  application,  and  also  for 
the  third ;  this  will  act  against  the  codling-moth.  June  is  a  crit- 
ical  month   for  all  fruits  and  vegetables,  especially  for  grapes. 


24  CONNECTICUT   EXPERIMENT   STA.TION,   BULL.  115. 

They  are  most  susceptible  to  "black-rot"  between  June  20th  and 
July  10th;  treat  thoroughly  and  frequently. 

A  good  general  rule  to  follow  after  the  second  spraying,  is  to 
let  each  additional  treatment  be  made  from  ten  days  to  three 
weeks  after  the  preceding  one;  the  shorter  interval  if  there 
are  heavy,  washing  rains,  the  longer  if  the  weather  is  compar- 
atively dry. 

It  must  also  be  remembered  that  the  more  adhesive  a  fungicide  is 
(e.  g.  the  Bordeaux  mixture),  the  less  frequently  will  the  applica- 
tions be  needed. 

July. 

This  month  will  close  the  treatment  for  most  diseases.  To 
avoid  the  spotting  of  grapes  by  the  Bordeaux  mixture,  the  two 
applications  during  the  latter  part  of  this  month  should  consist  of 
the  ammonical  solution  of  copper  carbonate.  Early  in  the  month 
spray  for  the  "  black-rot "  of  quinces,  and  continue  treatment 
every  two  weeks  until  the  last  of  August. 

August. 

The  spraying  season  closes  this  month.  For  "  leaf-blight  "  of 
strawberries,  mow  the  leaves  late  in  July  or  early  in  August,  and 
after  allowing  them  to  dry  where  they  lie,  set  fire  to  them  and 
burn  the  bed  over. 

Thoroughly  clean  and  oil  all  spraying  apparatus,  and  see  that 
it  is  carefully  stored. 

September,  October,  and  November. 

The  months  of  harvest.  When  picking  fruit,  let  one  or  two 
boys  follow  and  clean  the  trees  of  all  diseased  and  mummified 
fruit,  collecting  it  in  baskets  to  burn.  At  the  same  time  gather 
and  burn,  as  far  as  possible,  all  diseased  fruit  which  has  fallen. 

In  November  clean  the  orchard  thoroughly  of  fallen  leaves, 
especially  if  disease  has  been  prevalent,  and  burn  them.  Better 
to  destroy  them  now  than  in  the  spring,  when  the  fungous  fruit 
will  have  come  to  maturity  in  and  on  the  leaves. 

December. 
The  " black-knot "  fungus  matures  during  December  and  Jan- 
uary; attack  it  early  in  the  former  month.  Use  the  pruning- 
knife  unsparingly,  cutting  out  two  or  three  inches  above  and 
below  each  "knot."  Burn  every  "knot,"  and  paint  the  wound 
over  at  once. 


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